EU referendum: Guidance for staff and students

We will continue to update this page with information following the UK’s vote to leave the EU.

Last updated: Wednesday 29 March 2017. This page was created following the UK's EU referendum vote on Thursday 23 June 2016 as a source of information for staff and students. We will keep updating it when we receive new information.

The triggering of Article 50, giving notice of the UK’s intention to leave the EU will create significant challenges for universities, but we will remain global in our outlook, internationally-networked, and an attractive destination for talented people from across Europe. While the details of Government's negotiations with the EU still remain unknown, we will use this page to update you with the latest developments. You can also get involved with the EU and Brexit Yammer group (log-in required) to discuss issues with other staff and students, and we will attempt to answer your questions there.

The University of Leicester is proud to be ranked in the top 100 international universities according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2016, and we value our international community which includes students and staff from more than 117 different countries.

We will continue to welcome applications from students from the EU and we will not be making any changes to our arrangements for EU staff and students, until we are instructed by the government to do so.

The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been compiled to respond to concerns you may have about changing circumstances at the University following the vote to leave.

We will continue to update this page as and when we receive new information from official sources. You can read our more information section here which includes links to statements from official sources on university-related matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will EU national staff and students still be welcome at the University of Leicester?Of course! The University remains committed to its outlook as a global university and we are proud to welcome an international and multicultural staff and student community to our University. The UK’s decision to leave the EU will not change this view.

What does the EU referendum result mean for EU staff and students?Barring unilateral action from the UK Government, the vote to leave the EU does not mean there will be any immediate change to the UK university sector’s participation in EU programmes such as Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+, nor to the immigration status of current and prospective EU students and staff. Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty foresees a two-year negotiation process between the UK and other member states, during which time the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU will be decided.

Will there be any impact to the recognition of a degree from the University of Leicester?At this point in time, we don’t believe so. The University remains committed to being a world-leading global university ranked in the top one per cent of universities in the world.

Will tuition fees and access to loans change for current EU students?There will be no change to your fees status, immigration status or eligibility to receive loans and/or grants from The Student Loans Company for the duration of your current course of study.

Will tuition fees and access to loans change for new and prospective students?We are very pleased to confirm that the University of Leicester will continue to charge fees at the Home/EU rate for the duration of your undergraduate or master's degree if you are a campus-based student starting in September 2017 or September 2018. You will continue to have access to student loans and grants and home fee status for the duration of your course.

The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed that the rules applying to EU nationals starting university in September 2017 are unchanged. Those assessed as eligible to receive grants and/or loans will receive them for the duration of their course of study.

Will visa conditions/immigration status change for current EU staff and students?There is no change to any current EU national student, staff or applicant’s immigration status at this point. This will remain the case until the UK Government advises otherwise.

Will visa conditions/immigration status change for students starting their studies in 2016/17? There is no reason to assume any change to immigration status for students starting their studies in 2016/17.

Will EU students still be able to work in the UK whilst being a student?At this point in time, there is no change to the immigration status or right to work for EU students.

Will there be any implications for students studying in the EU under the Erasmus+ programme? There is no immediate change to the UK’s participation in the Erasmus+ programme. We want to reassure you that there is no impact on your immigration status and that you will continue to be eligible to receive Erasmus+ grant funding until at least as long as the UK remains a member of the EU.

Will students planning to participate in an Erasmus+ exchange during the 2017/18 academic year still be able to do so?We have received confirmation from the UK’s Erasmus+ agency, the British Council, that the Erasmus programme has been confirmed for up to and including the 2018/19 academic year.

Will there be any implications to students studying in the UK under the Erasmus programme?We want to reassure you that there is no impact on your immigration status and that you will continue to be eligible to receive Erasmus+ grant funding until at least as long as the UK remains a member of the EU.

What will be the impact on EU-funded research projects?The UK’s status as a full participating member of the Horizon 2020 programme has not changed as a result of the referendum vote and existing project grants and contracts will be honoured unless, or until, advised otherwise. In addition, the Treasury has committed to underwrite funding for all UK participation in projects submitted to EU-schemes before the UK’s official exit from the EU (estimated to be Spring 2019).

Will UK researchers still be able to apply for H2020 EU-funded grants? The UK is still a full participant in the H2020 programme and will be until the UK officially leaves the EU (the date for which is estimated to be Spring 2019) so UK based participation (as lead partner or collaborator) is still actively encouraged. In addition, the Treasury has committed to underwrite funding for all UK participation in projects submitted to EU-schemes before the UK’s official exit from the EU. We have reported a 40% increase in EU awards in the seven months post-referendum, compared to the seven months pre-referendum.